Niles man arrested in ATM skimming scheme

June 17, 2010

A Serbian national living in north suburban Niles has been arrested and charged in a plot to skim account information and PIN numbers from ATM machines, the FBI said today.

Louis Sokolovic, 59, bought components necessary to build the ATM skimmer from someone working secretly for the FBI and said during negotiations that he intended to capture account information and PIN numbers from unsuspecting customers, the FBI said in a news release.

But Sokolovic was never able to build the unit, said FBI spokesman Ross Rice.

He has been charged with attempting to obtain device making equipment with intent to defraud, a felony.

Sokolovic, whose last known address was in the 8000 block of West Foster Lane in Niles, appeared before a magistrate late Wednesday and was ordered held without bond, the FBI said.